An article in the Dec. 1997 issue of The Planet incorrectly stated that the Sierra
Club Yosemite Committee "supports alternative 2" of the National Park Service's
proposals for the Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan (VIP).
The committee opposes a component of all the alternatives that calls for
construction of a new parking lot in the relatively undisturbed west end of the
valley. The committee supports a transfer point in the already developed east
end of the valley.
"We support VIP elements such as restoration, including riparian and
hydrological restoration, removal of the non-native apple orchards that draw bears
into populated areas, removal of campfire rings, and additional bike paths," said
committee chair Linda Wallace.
"And we applaud NPS for its support of the creation of a regional transit
system, which is a key to reducing private vehicles in Yosemite Valley."
The committee believes a full environmental impact statement is needed for
all aspects of Yosemite Valley planning -- including Yosemite Lodge,
transportation and housing -- in order to properly implement the 1980 General
Management Plan.
For the full text of comments on the plan, please visit the Yosemite
Committee's Web site at www.sierraclub.org/chapters/ca/yosemite/.
Arctic Treasure Threatened
In the Jan./Feb. issue of The Planet, we alerted readers to the Interior
Department's plans to allow drilling for oil within the National Petroleum
Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). The alert said that multinational oil companies want to
drill the entire NPR-A. In fact, it is a 4.6-million acre planning area of the 23-
million acre reserve that is threatened. (That's still more wild land at risk than
the entire state of Connecticut.)
The comment period for the Bureau of Land Management's draft environmental
impact statement ends March 12, so your card or letter supporting the Sierra
Club's conservation alternative can still make a difference. Tell the BLM that
you especially want permanent protection for Teshekpuk Lake and Colville
River.
Write: NPR-A Planning Team
Bureau of Land Management
Alaska State Office (930)
222 W. 7th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99513-7599.
E-mail: jducker@ak.blm.gov
Web site: aurora.ak.blm.gov/npra
